If UC Davis were a TV show, it would be Rugrats

If UC Davis had to be a TV show, it would be Rugrats. Rugrats was a cartoon program for kids that used to air on Nickelodeon. Its episodes featured a group of toddlers who would misunderstand the real world based off of what their parents said. These toddlers would then have adventures in response to their own understanding of the real world, in order to gain something or to resolve a problem.

We students of Davis are responsible adults. We make our own decisions, earn our own grades and money, and buy our own groceries. Yet even as we grow and become more familiar with living in the real world, we make mistakes, and are so very inexperienced. In this way, we are toddlers stumbling through a world we are not yet used to, but trying our best to better things or make something for ourselves.

UC Davis students wearing their favorite TV show apparel

We each have our own interpretations of adulthood. UC Davis students approach the responsibilities of adulthood in different ways, similar to how the characters of Rugrats have different attitudes about their adventures.

Chuckie, a redheaded, freckle-spattered, shy kid was often a timid character who was scared of new things. Phil and Lil were twins who were loud and rambunctious, and who occasionally ate bugs.

Tommy was the character of reason and adventure; well-rounded, fun, and brave, Tommy was the leader of the group of kids.

Chuckie, the scared toddler, was inclined towards the safer way of taking on life, just as some college students will secure themselves in the reliability of routine.

Some Davis students are of the adventurous type, like Phil and Lil, involving themselves in social activities and organizations. They prioritize their amusement, and are a little more fun, messy, and spontaneous (with or without some backlash to their academic and work lives).

Lastly, some UC Davis students are a mix of both worlds, like the well-rounded Tommy, indulging in their social lives while also maintaining control of their professional lives. These students are perhaps the most rewarded, as they divine an even amount of rewards and losses. With the reconciling of work and play, some sacrifices are made, but perhaps the greatest adventures are had.

UC Davis students in a social organization: Cal Aggie Marching Band-Uh

A last similarity between Rugrats and UC Davis, is that despite the diversity of the people and those people’s journeys, all UCD students journey together. UC Davis is one university: one community of people trying to reap similar rewards from their experiences as developing adults.

We may study different things or do things different ways, but no matter what, we move on together.

UC Davis students of different journeys, working in the same room

Despite having our own way of doing things throughout the courses of our lives at Davis, all UC Davis students learn and grow together, like the Rugrats gang does amongst themselves. Along the way, we have our own experiences based off of our own interpretations of independent life and adulthood.

We alternatively make mistakes and succeed. Ultimately, we obtain valuable lessons, which serve us throughout the rest of our years at Davis and beyond.